Barnes’ cycle goes for naught in Astros loss

With the contest seemingly out of hand early, Brandon Barnes at least gave Astros fans plenty of reason to stay in their seats Friday night at Minute Maid Park with a magical performance.

Barnes almost willed the Astros back into the contest by hitting for the cycle, but the ninth cycle in franchise history wasn’t enough to overcome the crater Bud Norris left for the bullpen to fill.

Barnes homered to left-center in the second inning, tripled to right-center field in the fourth inning, singled to right field in the sixth and doubled down the right field line in the eighth inning. His heroics weren’t enough, however, to avoid the 10–7 loss against the Mariners.

Nonetheless, the crowd of 24,635 got its money’s worth from Barnes, who became the first Astros batter to hit for the cycle since Luke Scott accomplished the feat on July 28, 2006, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

No Astros righthander had hit for the cycle since club icon Craig Biggio hit for the cycle on April 8, 2002 at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies.

Barnes added an infield single down the left side in the bottom of the ninth to go 5-for-5, collecting the most hits by an Astros since Hunter Pence had five on May 27, 2008, against St. Louis.

With scouts from the Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Giants on hand to watch Norris, the Astros’ No. 1 starter gave up six hits and six runs with five walks and two strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.

Norris, who was pitching on nine days of rest, has given up 13 runs over 10 2/3 innings in his last two starts with several teams considering whether he’s worth acquiring at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Barnes wasn’t the only player with a career night. Mariners rookie shortstop Brad Miller hit his first and second career home runs to lead the Mariners in the first game after the All-Star break.

Miller knocked Norris out of the game with a two-run home run to right field in the sixth. Two innings later, Miller hit a three-run blast over the right field wall in the eighth to give the Mariners a 9-3 lead.

Barnes gave the Astros a 1-0 lead with a homer onto the concourse behind left-center field in the second inning. The Mariners countered with a four-run rally while batting around in the fourth inning.

Kendrys Morales led off the fourth with a single up the middle. Kyle Seager followed with a two-run home run into the Crawford Boxes to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. One out later, Michael Saunders and Mike Zunino drew consecutive walks. Dustin Ackley then went the opposite way for a two-run double to left.

The Astros countered in the bottom of the fourth. After Justin Maxwell hit a two-out single, Barnes hit an RBI triple to right-center field to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Jake Elmore and Jose Altuve hit consecutive one-out singles in the fifth. Jason Castro followed with a single to the right side, but Altuve couldn’t stop running in time to avoid getting hit by the ball. He was ruled out, and Elmore was sent back to third base. Chris Carter then struck out to end the inning.

Jesus Ortiz twitter/@OrtizKicks

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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July 21: Mariners 12, Astros 5

Brett Wallace of the Astros tries to get a hit against the Mariners.

July 21: Mariners 12, Astros 5

Brett Wallace of the Astros tries to get a hit against the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles wipes sweat from his face after being pulled against the Mariners.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles wipes sweat from his face after being pulled against the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers a throw to the Mariners.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers a throw to the Mariners.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Justin Maxwell of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Mariners.

Justin Maxwell of the Astros reacts after striking out against the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Brandon Barnes of the Astros slides into home safely to score a run.

Brandon Barnes of the Astros slides into home safely to score a run.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Jake Elmore of the Astros tries to remove dirt from his eye.

Jake Elmore of the Astros tries to remove dirt from his eye.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tries to make a play at second base.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tries to make a play at second base.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles makes a throw to the Mariners.

Astros pitcher Jordan Lyles makes a throw to the Mariners.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Astros manager Bo Porter makes a pitching move.

Astros manager Bo Porter makes a pitching move.

Photo: Bob Levey / Associated Press

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Jake Elmore of the Astros gets caught in a rundown against the Mariners.

Jake Elmore of the Astros gets caught in a rundown against the Mariners.

Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

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July 20: Mariners 4, Astros 2

Astros center fielder Brandon Barnes charges up Tal's Hill but can't make the play on a two-run double by Seattle outfielder Michael Saunders to break up a no-hitter during the seventh inning. It was the Mariners' only hit on the night. less

July 20: Mariners 4, Astros 2

Astros center fielder Brandon Barnes charges up Tal's Hill but can't make the play on a two-run double by Seattle outfielder Michael Saunders to break up a no-hitter during the ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard leaves the game during the seventh inning.

Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard leaves the game during the seventh inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) celebrates with Raul Ibanez as he scores on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) celebrates with Raul Ibanez as he scores on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard gets a new ball after giving up a run on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Astros starting pitcher Erik Bedard gets a new ball after giving up a run on a passed ball during the sixth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros manager Bo Porter watches from the dugout during the third inning.

Astros manager Bo Porter watches from the dugout during the third inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma gets ready to apply the tag as Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell is caught in a rundown during the sixth inning.

Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma gets ready to apply the tag as Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell is caught in a rundown during the sixth inning.